Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas Under $50 From Orange Harp + A Discount Code!

Photo Credit

Hey guys! I don't know if any of you have started your holiday shopping yet, or even started thinking about it for that matter (last minute shoppers like me raise your hand!), but I thought I'd get a jump on posting some gift guides for this season... and maybe give myself some ideas while I am at it!

Today, I am collaborating with Orange Harp, a phone app that offers eco-friendly and socially conscious products for all tastes and budgets (you can read my previous post on them here).

I've selected several items that I thought would be of interest - and since I am on a strict spending "diet" - affordable too! Also, look out for a discount code at the end of this post! ;-)

Now, let's check out the list!

First up, a few things for the ladies...

1) Woodland Terranium Vial Necklace from Lovehewn - How gorgeous is this hand crafted vintage necklace made from 100% recycled and re-purposed materials?! Each made to order vial contains beautiful botanical treasures from the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and may also include moss, bark, twigs, flower petals or stones. Every one is completely different and unique! $24

2) Hanna Organic Skincare "Essential Travel Kit" - A travel kit is the perfect way to treat or introduce someone to cleaner, greener skincare and this one from Hanna Organic Skincare is simply a must buy! Each kit comes with 1oz containers of their "Lavender Grains", "Gentle Cleanser", "Gentle Toner" and a .25oz container of "Renew". All products are free from parabens, parfumes, synthetic preservatives, are made in the USA and do not contain GMO's. The lovely travel bag is handmade by owner Karen's sister too! $35

3) Lavender-Infused Botanic Bath Salts from Pura Botanica - Holidays can be stressful, and what better way to wind down after all the celebrating is over than with a bath filled with the calming scent of Lavender? Made with pure Bolivian Sea Salt and infused with a mixture of organic Lavender, Chamomile, Lemongrass and essential oils, these bath salts will whisk you away to a more peaceful state of being in no time! All ingredients are Organic and sustainably harvested. $23.80

1) Amethyst & Gold Brass Hoop Earrings from Lovehewn - Check out these gorgeous handcrafted earrings made from recycled brass and wire and decorated with vintage, semi-precious Amethyst stones! These are sure to bring out the inner Bohemian in any woman! $28

2) Sweet Chai Soy Candle from Pura Botanica - Every year, I always get my Nana a candle for Christmas and this one, from Pura Botanica would be perfect! With hints of Orange, Cinnamon, Clove and Vanilla, this sweet and spicy scented candle will surely delight anyone's senses! $27.20

3) Ambanja Madagasscar Chocolate Bar from Dandelion Chocolate - I love to give some kind of chocolate treat as a gift for Christmas (I mean, who doesn't love chocolate?!) and this one from Dandelion Chocolates looks like it would be a hit with any chocoholic in your life! Made with just Cocoa Beans from Madagascar and organic Cane Sugar ethically sourced from Brazil, this bar is described as having a combination of citrus and tangy fruit flavors in its flavor profile! Yum! $8


And let's not forget the men!

1) Leather Pint Glass Sleeve from Pedal Happy - Keep that beer cold longer with this handcrafted glass sleeve! Made without any harmful chemicals, and dyed with vegetable dye, this can also be customized with a name, logo, image or whatever you think your guy would like! $15

2) All Natural Soap Bars from Pura Botanica - Not just for women, these lush cleansing bars will leave your man feeling soft and nourished and smelling irresistible! Choose from "Chai Vanilla", "Herbal Tonic", "Peppermint Leaf" or "Spiced Citrus". Made with organic and sustainably harvested ingredients. $6 

3) High Desert Beard Oil from Juniper Ridge - While I personally like some facial hair on my man, I don't like how rough and scratchy it can be on my delicate skin! For any of you gals that feel that way, I may have found the perfect solution! Made with Organic Jojoba Oil and scented with wildcrafted fragrance distilled from plants from the Mojave Desert from Southern California, this face and beard oil from Juniper Ridge will soften things up in no time! $45


Orange Harp has soooooo many amazing looking products on their site that it was really difficult to narrow down my choices! Seriously, this could have been a lot longer!!

Now for the best part! Orange Harp is generously giving my readers a discount code to use on their app store. Just use code  "BECOHOLIC" at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase! Discount is valid until Sunday, November 22nd, 2015! If you haven't yet downloaded the app - go do so! It's free and you'll be able to browse through all of their fab products! 

Happy Shopping!

Peace & love,
Sabrina xoxo

It's All About Balance...

Hey guys! I hope you all had a fun Halloween! My hubs and I went low-key again this year and spent the night eating a yummy homemade dinner (all organic and healthy) and gorging on candy (not organic or healthy) while watching the season premiere's of "Grimm" and "Ash VS Evil Dead"! They were both really good, BTW! :-)

While I was stuffing my face with candy that I shouldn't be eating (Reese's PB cups and Snickers you are my kryptonite, damn you!), I started thinking about what I eat, and how certain things have changed not only in my life, but my thoughts on life too. And that got me thinking about "balance".

When I first started my journey back into a more clean and natural lifestyle, I had a full time job that paid decently and I could afford to be as strict as I wanted with what I bought in terms of food, personal care, clothing, etc...(I still pretty much am when it comes to my skincare products, make up, cleaning products and pet foods - though if a skincare or make-up product isn't 100% pure or clean as I like, but it is what I can afford and I don't have a reaction to it, I'm not going to freak or get down on myself).

Two years ago, however, a lot of things changed. My back pretty much "gave out" on me and I was forced to take a leave of absence from work. Right as I found out I needed to have major surgery, my employer let me go. So I was out of a job. Though the surgery was a success, the recovery process was slow and painful and some other issues developed. In addition, foods that I loved and ate with abandon (at this time I was mostly a raw vegan) made me nauseous and I began craving certain foods I generally stayed away from. I cut myself some slack because, after all, my body was healing and if I was craving chicken or eggs or even steak, I was going to eat it.

Because of all of the stress I was under - major surgery, losing my job, personal issues - I developed some other health problems, all of which still prevent me from working outside of the home. I'm working hard to restore my health, but in the meantime, I am fortunate enough to bring in a little income by working for my father-in-law, managing a few social media sites and my affiliates. But because the majority of income comes from my husband, we have had to really budget ourselves and unfortunately, sometimes that means buying something that might not be organic. We do try and still get as much organic and non-gmo as we can, but we also don't want to live a life that is so strict and rigid that we can't enjoy it.

So that brings me to the "balance" part. While I do strive to live as clean, healthy, and non-toxic a lifestyle as I can, I also have to be realistic and not beat myself up if I slip up, or give in to my intense craving for pizza or french fries..or even gmo filled Reeses or Snickers!

I live in a small town that doesn't have organic restaurants (the cleanest thing we have is a Chipotle's), or a Whole Foods or farmer's markets that sell all organic produce. I wish we did! But if we want to go out to eat, we know our options are limited so we don't stress over it. We just eat better the next day. We honestly probably eat 70-80% organic, non-gmo and 20-30% not so clean. And I'm ok with that. I've learned to be less strict with my diet and listen to my body more. If I'm craving chicken, I eat it. I do make sure any meat we buy IS organic..since we still don't eat a lot of it. But I don't feel guilty anymore for eating it. I don't think in terms of vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten free, etc..I don't apply labels to my diet anymore. And if I want some treat that isn't all that good for me, well, I'm going to eat that too - just not too much of it! The thing is, I'm human, I'm not perfect. I believe in progress, not perfection. I try and do the best I can with the budget and resources I have, while not restricting myself to the point where I am miserable.

And honestly, I'm much happier and less stressed for having this attitude now! :-)


How do you live a balanced life? Do you allow yourself to cheat a little? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Peace and love,
Sabrina xoxo

Acure Organics Introduces Some New Products For Fall & Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I've been in love with Acure Organics for awhile now (see exhibits a, b, and c) and recently they came out with a few new things for Fall, which I had the pleasure to try out. But before I get into the nitty gritty of a review, let me just say that this love affair is in no danger of fizzling out anytime soon!

New Products For Fall...

  

Coconut & Argan Oil Cleansing Towelettes - I've heard many a good thing about Acure's cleansing towelettes and I am happy to say that all of the hubub was spot on! Scented with the intoxicating perfume of Coconut and formulated with such goodness like Olive Fruit, Sesame, Grapeseed and of course Argan Oils, these cloths are great for quickly removing make-up and cleansing skin (or hands after eating super saucy or messy finger foods). Toss them in your purse or gym bag for on the go travel or keep in your desk drawer to freshen up during the day, these handy, non-toxic and biodegradable wipes are perfect for the busy gal on the go! 

Price - $6.99

Ingredients - Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate (From Glycerin + Coconut), Glyceryl Undecylenate(From Glycerin + Castor Bean Oil), Potassium Sorbate, Flavor (Organic Coconut Oil).

Coconut Straightening Shampoo & Conditioner - Continuing on with the coconut theme are their new Straightening Shampoo and Conditioner. Both smell like a pina colada (yum!) and both contain ultra hydrating Marula Oil and Coconut Water to keep hair smooth and frizz free. I love the rich, moisturizing lather of the shampoo and the creamy, silky feel of the conditioner. My hair not only feels clean, but nourished after showering. And the scent lingers in my hair for days after, which I love as I wash my hair every 3 days (sometimes 4 if I'm sick or feeling lazy). Both products are color safe, vegan , gluten free , sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free, cruelty free, petroleum free, PEG free, synthetic fragrance free, silicone free , and are 100% Biodegradable! Whew! 

Price - $9.99
Ingredients -
Shampoo: 

Organic Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Berry Juice, Organic Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Juice, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehips) Extract (Aqueous), Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice, Organic Fair Trade Aspalanthus linearis (Rooibos) (Aqueous), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (From Coconut), 100% Naturally-Derived Betaine (from Sugar Beets), Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Sugar Conditioner), Sodium Levulinate (from Corn), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar Gum Conditioner), Potassium Sorbate (Food Grade Preservative), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Organic Fair Trade Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Paullinia Cupana (Brazilian Cocoa) Phyto-Keratin, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Oil, Cysteine Amino Acid, Organic Coconut Flavor Oil

Conditioner: Organic Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Berry Juice, Organic Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Juice, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehips) Extract (Aqueous), Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice, Organic Fair Trade Aspalanthus linearis (Rooibos) (Aqueous), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearylkonium Chloride, Vegetable Glycerin, Glucono Delta Lactone (Fermented Sugar), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside (from Corn and Glucose), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar Gum Conditioner), Glyceryl Stearate (Vegetable-Derived), l-Arginine (Amino Acid), Organic Fair Trade Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sorbitan Olivate (from Olives + Sugar), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Cellulose (Plant Derived), D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Lactic Acid (Vegetable Derived), Paullinia Cupana (Brazilian Cocoa) Phyto-Keratin, Organic cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Oil, Cysteine Amino Acid, Organic Coconut Flavor Oil

Partnership With Unite For Her

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Acure Organics is helping to take a stand against it by partnering with Unite for Her - a non-profit organization dedicated to providing women of all ages wellness and educational programs that complement traditional breast cancer therapies. These programs are designed to help educate, empower and restore - to find fun and interesting ways of communicating the importance of a healthy lifestyle, to offer opportunities via various initiatives to develop leadership skills, and to restore total health through holistic therapies such as yoga, nutrition, massage and meditation. 

To support Unite for Her's mission, Acure is donating $0.10 per sale of their Day & Night Creams for one full year!

Like all of Acure's products, these creams are formulated with only the purest, most effective, fair trade and organic ingredients available and it's honestly no surprise that they are two of their best sellers. And also like all of Acure's products, they are super affordable! 

 Day Cream - Firming and free radical fighting Gotu Kola Stem Cells are the superstar in this nourishing daytime moisturizer. Formulated for normal to dry skin (though my oily skin stayed hydrated with no excess shine), this cream absorbs easily, is non-greasy and the scent is both spicy and fruity - reminds me of those orange spice drop candies! I applied this over their Argan Oil and still my skin remained shine free! This also contains 1% Chlorella Growth Factor, which supports and protects collagen and elastin fibers from free radical damage! I found this makes a great primer for under make-up too, oh and no breakouts either!  

Price - $16.99
Ingredients - Organic Curoxidant™ Blend [(Organic Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Organic Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile), Fair Trade Organic Aspalanthus Linearis (Rooibos)], Organic Aloe Barbensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fair Trade Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Organic Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE (Vegetable Derived), Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Infusion of Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower in Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Glucono Delta Lactone (Fermented Sugar), Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Stem Cell Culture, Marrubium vulgare (White Horehound) Stem Cell Culture, Echinacea Stem Cell Culture, Fermented Resveratrol Extract (Probiotic), Organic Argan Oil, CoQ10, Olive Leaf extract, Organic Chlorella Pyrenoidosa (Chlorella Growth Factor), Citrus Reticulata (Red Mandarin) Oil, D-Alpha Tocoperyl Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Bud Oil

Night Cream - The perfect counterpoint to the Day Cream, this lightweight, yet deeply hydrating nighttime moisturizer calms, soothes and repairs your skin while you snooze. 2% Chlorella Growth Factor strengthens collagen and elastin fibers, while Moroccan Argan Oil seals in moisture. The texture is creamy, absorbs quickly and the scent is lightly herb-y with a hint of lavender. Like the Day Cream, the Night Cream keeps my skin shine free and doesn't break it out. In fact, after using both products religiously for a month (along with their face wash, toner and Argan Oil), my skin looked better than it has in a long while! No break outs, no redness, no dryness - just calmer, smoother, clearer, happier skin! 

Price - $17.99
Ingredients - Organic Curoxidant™ Blend [(Organic Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Organic Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile), Fair Trade Organic Aspalanthus Linearis (Rooibos)], Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot Kernel) Oil, Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, Vegetable Glycerine, Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate (Vegetable Derived), Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Glucose (Sugar), Glucose Oxidase & Lactoperoxidase (Milk & Sugar Enzymes), Organic Chlorella Pyrenoidosa (Chlorella Growth Factor), Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Hypericum Perforatum (St Johnswort) Oil, Marrubium Vulgare (White Horehound) Stem Cell Culture, Echinacea Stem Cell Culture, Fermented Resveratrol Extract (Probiotic), Organic Argan Oil, CoQ10, Olive Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Stem Cell Culture, Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender) (Essential) Oil, Citrus Limonium (Lemon) Oil, Xanthan Gum.

Have you tried anything from Acure Organics? Which are your faves? 

Peace & Love,

Sabrina xoxo

*All products were generously sent to me to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Hold On To That Summer "Glow" All Year Round With These Tips...

One of the things I love about living in Western New York is the change of seasons. I especially love the transition from Summer to Fall - the beautiful red and gold jewel tones that begin to appear in October and that crisp, almost "burnt" smell that perfumes the air. Oh, and pumpkins..and of course Halloween! 

The thing I don't like is that along with the cooler temps generally comes drier, duller complexions. 

Inspired by some posts I found on Aloha.com's Pinterest boards (their website is pretty awesome too!), I started thinking about ways to keep my skin from looking drab and blah during this time of year. 

Some of these tips are definitely not unique, and most (if not all) of you probably already do these, but hey, they work so this is what I've got. ;-)

1) Water with lemon everyday all day! We all know that water is important in keeping the skin hydrated, but adding fresh (no fake bottled stuff!) lemon to your daily H2O not only provides an extra boost of hydration, it also detoxifies your body (and thus skin - buh-bye breakouts!) and provides skin brightening vitamin C. I generally drink 2 liters of water with lemon a day at room temp. 

*bonus tip - Swap out plain water for mineral/sparkling water and add organic cucumber slices or berries of choice with lemon for an extra special (ie "fancy schmancy") mocktail!

2) Glow from the inside out - In keeping with the eating (and drinking) for beauty tips, making sure to supply your body with tons of skin beautifying nutrients is key in achieving a healthy, glowing complexion! A few of my fave beauty foods include dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, nuts and seeds, avocados, berries and bananas, plant based proteins and raw cacao (umm hello, chocolate!). For some really mouth watering and uber healthy recipes, check out these from Aloha.com! I definitely want to try alllll of them! YUM-O!

3) Gentle exfoliation - To help keep skin smooth and bright, I love to use a non-abrasive, gentle exfoliant once or twice a week. My favorite right now is the Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub. I also like to dry brush my whole body before I jump in the shower. Doing this not only wakes me up and gets the blood circulating, but it also helps to keep my lymphatic system functioning properly and can reduce cellulite too! 

4) Sleep, sleep and more sleep! It's not called "beauty sleep" for nothing - while you are catching zzzz's, your body takes this time to repair itself, renewing skin cells and literally rejuvenating your skin. To make sure you get enough sleep, nix any caffeine before bedtime and try going to sleep at the same time each night!

5) Exercise - Any kind of movement that gets your heart pumping and the blood flowing will instantly make your skin look more radiant! As someone with back issues and a few other (sometimes) debilitating health problems, this can be a difficult thing to accomplish. But I find that even something as simple as lunges, stretches and squats can make a difference and I've been known to dance around the house to a few tunes too! However you prefer to get your fitness groove on, go for it! My personal fave total (or targeted) body workout (when feeling up to it) is this one here! 

6) Go for the bronze(er) - The quickest and easiest way to get your glow on is to "fake it"! A few strategically placed strokes of bronzer and a bit of highlighter and voila! Instant glow! Also, use a liquid or hydrating cream (my faves are this, this and this) rather than a powder foundation for a more dewey look, A swipe of gold or peachy-bronze lip gloss and you're good to go! 

7) Don't forget the sunscreen!!! You don't need to be a vampire and shun the sun completely, but if you're going to be out and about during the day, make sure to include some spf into your morning skincare routine. Seriously guys, I have been wearing sunscreen religiously since my teens and I swear it is at least one of the reasons why I don't look my age (44 going on 45 in Feb)! Look for non-toxic ones that offer broad spectrum protection. Some of my current faves are this one and this one. I also use make-up that contains UV protection like this or this.

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic. A few of my fave glow inducing products! 

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic. Elate Cosmetics shadow in "Ethereal" & Pacifica "Bronzing Body Butter"

Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic. "Tara California Bronzing Cream" by Delizioso Skincare

Bring that Summer glow into the Fall baby! 

What are some of your tips for keeping that glow all year round? I'd love to know! 

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xoxo

*post contains affiliate links. 

Guest Post: Healthy Alternatives to Toxic Cleaning Products

Hey guys! I have another guest post I'd like to share, this one focusing on "cleaning up" your cleaning products! I'm always looking for safer, more eco-friendly alternatives to contemporary cleaning products and this post that was submitted to TBE gives some great advice on how to get started! :-)

Enjoy!

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xoxo

We are all exposed to toxic chemicals every day not only when we are outside, but also indoors. That is why it is important to do everything possible to protect at least our homes from the dangerous impact of these toxins, since we spend such big part of our time there. Even simple things like cleaning and cooking can pollute the air and expose us and our families to toxins. When it comes to cleaning, however, we usually rely on strong detergents and various special disinfectants to get the job done. And even though those supplies can remove the grime, they can also leave unhealthy chemical residues behind.

A better solution is to find eco alternatives to those ordinary cleaning supplies. These "greener" products will still help you maintain every room of your place in good condition but will also preserve your health and the health of the other members of your family. It is important to do this, especially if you have little kids who are constantly crawling around, touching and playing with everything. Below are some measures you could take to make your home a safer place for you and your family:

·         Prepare you own eco-friendly, all-purpose cleaner – The shops certainly offer all kinds of effective all-purpose cleaners. The only problem is that they are filled with toxic chemicals, which could be very dangerous for you. There is a solution to this problem and that's a homemade all-purpose cleaner used by many companies like CityCleaners Croydon. The ingredients are simple – white vinegar, baking soda and water. You can put the special blend in a spray bottle and use it for the disinfection of all kinds of surfaces and places.

·         Use homemade air freshener – Cooking, dusting, vacuuming, all of those things could seriously pollute the air in your home. Good ventilation is certainly important but you can prepare your own chemical-free air freshener as well. You need several simple ingredients like distilled water, essential oils of your choosing and a little baking soda. This is an excellent recipe, which will give you a very effective product. Forget about the expensive store-bought air fresheners and enjoy your special toxic-free mix.

·         Cease the usage of chlorine bleach – Chlorine bleach is among the most dangerous cleaning products which a lot of people use in their homes anyway either for their laundry, for the disinfection of their toilets or other household tasks. Inhaling these toxins while cleaning is enough to endanger your health, so it's better to just stop using chlorine bleach altogether and replace it with chlorine-free products.

·         Make your own fabric softener – The laundry also needs your special cares, so instead of spending money for expensive fabric softeners every time, just start making your own. To make you will need one gallon of white vinegar and about 20 or 30 drops of your favourite essential oil. You can mix the ingredients together in a vessel and store your eco fabric softener in there. 1/3 cup will be more than enough for one load of laundry.

Those are only part of the many recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products you could try. Switching  to chemical-free cleaning supplies is without a doubt the best way to reduce the usage of toxic supplies for the disinfection of your home. So, don't hesitate any more and reorganise your bathroom and kitchen cabinets today! Collect all dangerous cleaning supplies and get rid of them. By doing that you won't be tempted to use them in the future and you will also free some space in your home for the new eco-friendly products you will be using later!

*Post was contributed to TBE as a guest post.

In Honor Of The 31 Days Of Halloween: Seven Things That Scare The Crap Out Of Me!

It's finally October! Yay!! I always get excited for this time of year - not just for the gorgeous Autumn color palette, but because hello, Halloween! For a nerd girl/horror geek like me, this is truly my favorite month! I love the costumes, decorations and treats, but most of all, I love watching all the scary movies that are on during this time!

So in honor of this "spookiest" time of the year, I thought I would list some of the things that scare the freaking crap out of me..because, you know..it's fun..

Testing out my "Scream Queen" chops...

Seven Things That Scare The Crap Out Of Me!

1) Clowns - I don't think I need to bother explaining this one...
(Nightmare fuel: Stephen King's "It", "Killer Klowns from Outer Space", "Clownhouse")


2) Spiders - The funny thing is, I used to love these little creepers, and I still admire the sheer artistry of their web making, but an "incident" during hide and seek when I was a kid one Summer literally changed how I feel about these creatures. Let's just say one of those really big outdoor suckers decided to climb up my bare leg and cause me to lose my sh*t (not literally thankfully)! The best part is that my parent's somehow thought that if I watched the movie "Arachnophobia" I would get over my fear. Thanks mom and dad, because of that movie I STILL check under the blankets before getting in bed, behind the toilet and never, ever close my eyes in the shower!
(Nightmare fuel: "Eight Legged Freaks", "Kingdom of the Spiders")


3) Zombies - I know they are make believe, but there is something so terrifying about dead people coming back to "life" and wanting to eat my brain or any part of me for that matter...I mean, do you really need to come back as a people eater? Why can't you just crave pizza or a burger like normal people? And don't get me started on the "fast zombies" - "28 Days Later", I'm looking at you. *shudder* Don't get me wrong, I still watch zombie movies and I loooove "The Walking Dead", but still, zombies = nightmares for me every freaking time.
(Nightmare fuel: anything with a zombie in it..except "Fido" and "Warm Bodies")


4) Werewolves - All I have to say is - "Dog Soldiers" and "The Howling"..'nuff said!


5) Creepy Porcelain Dolls/Ventriloquist Dummies - I don't think I need to explain this one either..
(Nightmare fuel: "Dolls", "Annabelle", "Dead Silence")


6) "The Gentlemen" - For those of you who are "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fans, you know exactly what I am referring to. For those of you who don't, get on Netflix, go to season 4 of "BTVS" and look up the episode "Hush"...you're welcome.


7) Sharks - It's not just having seen "Jaws" when I was little that caused this fear. Look at any picture of a Great White opening it's mouth with all those teeth..yeeeaaahhh..that.
(Nightmare fuel: "Deep Blue Sea", "Jaws 2" and "Open Water" - which I refuse to watch!)


Now that I thoroughly freaked myself out, I'll be on my couch watching scary movies by myself, under a blanket with the lights off...

What are you afraid of? Sound off below and let me know! 

Peace and love,
Sabrina xo

Eco Home: The Best Plants To Improve The Air Quality Of Your Home

Hey guys! Today's post is all about greening up your home - literally. Plants not only make eye catching decor for your living areas, but they can also greatly improve the quality of air by removing health damaging toxins from your home!

The peeps over at ProFlowers break down which plants are best for improving your home's air quality and reducing your risk of exposure from toxins.  Read on to find out more! :-)

The Best Plants For Improving Air Quality

Have you ever stopped to think about the air you breathe in your home? While you may think it's clean, most households are actually filled with harmful chemicals like benzene, xylene and ammonia. 

Thankfully, it's easy to combat these chemicals with some simple cleaning and filling your home with safe products. In addition, indoor plants can serve as a helpful air purifier. 

After learning this, flower delivery company ProFlowers decided to investigate which indoor plants are truly the best at making the air we breathe better.

 See the full guide below or on their website—do you use any of these plants in your home?

Photo Credit

Do you use plants to purify your home? If so, which ones - any from this list? I have an English Ivy sitting on my home office desk and I can honestly say that it has definitely made a difference since my hubs placed it there! #plantpower

Peace & Love,

Sabrina xoxo

Five Blogs I Am Digging Right Now...

One of the things I spend quite a bit of time doing is reading other blogs. I find doing so is not only relaxing, but enlightening and inspiring as well. And I'll be honest, I read a LOT of blogs and my tastes are kind of all over the place. Sometimes I want to be educated, other times I just want to be entertained or uplifted. But whatever my current mood, I definitely have a large enough reading pool to choose from! The truth is that there are just so many talented writers and so many interesting and informative blogs out there that it can be hard to keep up with them all!

So, to help narrow things down a bit, I want to share a few that I have been enjoying for a while and that may or may not have made it on your reading list (but definitely should!):

1) The Skinny Confidential - Run by the absolutely gorgeous sweet and down to earth (not to mention funny and REAL) Lauryn Evarts, this blog is a must read! Lauryn covers everything from healthy whole foods recipes to fitness to decor and fashion to just everyday life! There is never a dull post written by her and I constantly find myself being inspired by her. She also offers a kick ass fitness and nutrition plan (get the deets here)!

2) Empowered Sustenance - I have learned soooo much about certain health issues that have been plaguing me from following this blog. Lauren Geertsen is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who has written e-books on finding relief from acne and PMS, as well as offering various resources and grain free recipes for a healthier life.

3) Organic Bunny - I adore Amanda and have loved every post she has written. She proves that you can still look as glam and fab using all natural, green beauty products as you can with mainstream brands!

4) Eco-Chick - If you are looking for a blog that covers eco-friendly fashion, beauty, travel and all around eco life-style, this is the one for you!

5) The Balanced Blonde - Former vegan, but currently living a more "balanced" lifestyle, Jordan Younger shares her passion for all things health, wellness, fashion, beauty and just her day to day experiences. She also has lots of delish recipes, as well as her own apparel line!


Well, there you have it - my current fab five! Since I am always researching and looking for new reading material to inspire and motivate me, I'm sure I'll have more to add to my list in the near future!

To check out more of my favorite blogs go here (this isn't all of them by any means, I'd need a second page lol).


What are some of your favorite blogs? Have you or will you be checking any of the ones above out? Let me know! 

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xoxo

Zensational Organics Review & Giveaway! ~CLOSED~

Zensational Organics is a natural skincare brand that creates products with the best organic ingredients, infused with Colloidal Silver and balanced with the spirit of Zen. 

Their calming and soothing products have been developed over years of study of natural healing, organic elements and a holistic approach to the Natural Mind, Body and Soul.

I love discovering new natural brands and when Zensational Organics contacted me to see if I would be interested in not only reviewing some of their products, but giving one of their best selling products away (details to follow at the end of this post), I couldn't say no! 

The genius behind the brand, Annie Berry

The founder and product creator of Zensational Organics is Annie Berry, who had developed a passion for healthy living upon realizing how many harmful chemicals were in many bath and skincare products. She began reading labels and learning about ingredients. From there she started taking courses in Reiki (and became a Reiki Master) as well as Yuen (her favorite being Quantum Touch). 

Using her kitchen as her "laboratory" and she the "mad scientist", Annie began creating her own products. She was determined to come up with an awesome body lotion that would keep skin moisturized for longer than an hour. She also had rosacea that she needed to address and thus "Whippity Bobbidy Boo" Body Lotion and "Rescue Lotion" were born.

I had the privilege of trying the "Whippity Bobbidy Boo" moisturizer among other of their products and today I want to share my thoughts! :-)

1) Bath/Spa Teas - As unique as they sound, these large tea bags are filled with healing salts (Himalayan and Dead Sea), essential oils, herbs and flowers like Clove Oil, Orange Oil, Lavender, Chamomile, and Calendula that all work together to make bath time an even more relaxing and enjoyable experience. Choose from "Nirvana", "Ah-Mazing" or "Spicy Fantasy" - they all smell delish and I don't know which is my favorite!

Price - $4 (or $11.25 for set of all 3)
Ingredients -  varies

2) Whippity Bobbidy Boo - This rich, decadent moisturizer is perfect for the impending Fall weather! With super hydrating ingredients like Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut and Organic Sweet Almond Oil, skin will stay soft and silky all day! The light lavender scent is quite lovely too! This will definitely be a staple in my Fall/Winter skincare regimen - especially for hands and feet!

Price - $12
Ingredients - Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Lavender Essential Oil

3) Calendula Citrus Soap - Energizing citrus scent paired with moisturizing organic oils wakes you up while leaving skin clean and super soft. I love how well it lathers, yet isn't the least bit drying. Great to use for shaving too!

Price - $10
Ingredients - Saponified Organic Oils of: Calendula infused Olea Europaea (Olive Oil), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Elaeis Guineenis (Palm Kernal Oil), Persia Gratissima (Avocado Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter Fruit), Hydrogenated Avocado Oil (Avocado Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil), Organic Calendula Petals. Organic Essential Oils of: Lime, Orange, Lemongrass and Tea Tree.

4) "Quit Buggin Me" Insect Repellent - I have to be honest, I really didn't go anywhere this Summer where I needed to use a bug spray. That being said, however, this is something I would definitely want to keep on hand during this time of year, and especially if I were to go hiking or camping!

Price - $12
Ingredients - Distilled Water, Organic Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate, Argentums Metallicum (Colloidal Silver), Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil), Organic Vegetable Glycerin. Essential Oils of: Citronella, Lemon Grass, Cat Nip, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Cinnamon and Lavender

5) Rescue Lip Balm (not shown) - I loved this lip balm so much that I used it up before I even got around to taking pictures for this post! Whoops! With ingredients like Organic Bees Wax, Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil, this lip balm was highly moisturizing, but it was the orange citrus flavor that made this so irresistible to me! Definitely one of my absolute favorite lip products of all time and I am sad that it's gone! :-(  $6


My overall thoughts: It's clear that a lot of love, care and attention to ingredients went into each of these products and it's hard to decide which was my favorite as they are all beautifully formulated. But not only are these products truly a joy to use, they are quite affordable as well!


Now, as promised, it is giveaway time! Zensational Organics is kindly giving away a full sized jar of their uber popular "Whippity Boppidy Boo" moisturizer to one lucky reader! To enter, just click on the link below and follow the instructions. Giveaway is open to US peeps only and winner will be announced here and on my social media sites on 9/10.

Good luck! :-)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

Inspired By Hollywood: Airelle Skincare

*PR Samples

 I'm always on the look out for natural products that are not only great for acne prone skin, but that contain ingredients to keep skin looking young and firm as possible. In Hollywood, these are things that many actors and performers search for as well. The pressure to have perfect, youthful skin is even higher now for them, especially due to certain technological advancements that have recently been made in the film world.

The transition to HD cameras not only brought a more vivid clarity to the images they captured, but also various imperfections on the skin of many actors, resulting in more time being spent in the make-up artist's chair. This revelation led Stephen D'Amato, a Prime-Time TV First Assistant Director, to seek a solution from his Dermatologist wife, Kasey Drapeau D'Amato.

Together, they searched the globe to find the most effective and innovative natural ingredients. They needed to create products that would deliver immediate, noticeable and lasting results, as Hollywood actors often have extremely hectic schedules and they rely on skin care products more so than in office procedures to look their best.

Thus, Airelle Skincare was born. 

Formulated with Berrimatrix, a proprietary ingredient developed by Airelle containing blueberry extract and other anti-oxidants, these products work to protect the skin from collagen breakdown as well as photo-aging.

When Airelle contacted me to try a few of their products I was of course beyond thrilled! All of their products are free from artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, GMO's, are cruelty free, eco-friendly and made in the USA. They are also great for sensitive and acne prone skin, as well as containing potent anti-aging ingredients!

Here is what I tried and my thoughts on each product:

1) Exfoliating Cleanser -  Containing Bambo microbeads to exfoliate and Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid to brighten and smooth, this non-abrasive cleanser is basically a cleanser and facial scrub in one. While this was a little too strong for me to use on my sensitive skin daily, on the days that I did use this, I noticed that my skin was left nice and soft and any dry or rough patches were gone. I also noticed my skin didn't break out as much and the redness on my upper cheeks had pretty much faded as well. I think this is a great exfoliant and is probably one of my favorites ever!

Benefits:

• Removes impurities and dead skin cells and helps brighten skin
• Gently exfoliates with natural, biodegradable Bamboo microbeads
• Prepares skin to absorb antioxidants and nutrients
• Leaves skin clean, smooth and refreshed

Price - $64 for 4oz
Ingredients - see here

2) Age Defying Serum - This serum is definitely the "star" item in the collection in my opinion. Like all of the products, this contains Berrimatrix, as well as Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Vitamin C and Manuka Honey. A few drops of this lightweight serum is all you need to cover face, neck and decollete, and skin is left hydrated and supple all day. I noticed after using this for a few weeks that my skin seemed to look brighter, less red with fewer breakouts and more firm. It's a bit on the pricey side, but if you can afford it, it is definitely worth the splurge!

Benefits:

• 16% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after only 28 days; 27% reduction after 56 days
• Vitamin C brightens skin and decreases the signs of damaged and aging skin
• Peptides reduce the appearance of wrinkles and create noticeably smoother skin
• Grass seed extract reduces facial shine and oil production

Price - $158 for .85fl
Ingredients - see here

3) Intense Hydrating Repair Complex - My other favorite is this silky light moisturizer containing Hyaluronic Acid, Acai Berry, Manuka Honey and Squalane, among other fab ingredients! This is the perfect counterpoint to the Age Defying Serum and using the two together seemed to achieve even greater results in my skin!

Benefits:

• Rescue treatment for damaged and aging skin
• Vitamin E helps condition and hydrate the skin barrier
• Enhances skin firmness and elasticity
• Improves overall skin texture with a unique combination of antioxidants and botanicals
• Unique combination of ingredients help reduce MMP-1 production and prevent collagen breakdown

Price - $116 for 1.7oz
Ingredients - see here

4) Hydrating Manuka Mask - This is a lovely, super hydrating mask that is great for parched or reactive skin. I actually loved to use this as my morning cleanser on days when I wasn't using the Exfoliating Cleanser. My skin felt so calm and soft and dewy afterwards. 

Benefits:

• Antioxidant rich therapeutic mask
• Vitamin B to soften, smooth and condition the skin
• Manuka Honey soothes the skin
• Leaves skin clean, nourished and hydrated

Price - $90 for 2oz

Ingredients - see here

My overall thoughts: Even though the price tags may seem a bit scary, if you are looking for a truly effective skincare line that is natural and non-toxic, and it is in your budget, this is definitely one to try! They do offer a travel kit for under $50, so for those who might not be able to afford the full sized products you can still try them out. And don't let the size of the samples fool you - you will still get amazing and noticeable results and these will last you quite awhile as you only need the smallest amount!

The Arielle line may have been developed for improving Hollywood faces, but it works great for everyone else too!


Have you ever tried Airelle Skincare? What are your thoughts? Let me know below!

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Eco Home - Remove Toxins & Odors With Buddha Fresh Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifier!

Hey guys! I know I feature a lot (like A LOT) of natural skincare and make-up products here on my blog, and as much as I enjoy and love sharing that with you, I also want to start featuring some green and eco-friendly home products as well!

Over the years since going green, my hubs and I have worked hard to remove as many toxins from our lives as possible. Cleaning up our grooming products and diets were the easy part. Finding truly clean (and affordable of course...we're kind of budget restricted at the moment) household products, particularly air fresheners (oh, my fave brand why do you have to be so toxic!?!) have been a wee bit of a challenge.

So, I was pretty stoked to hear about an upcoming product called "Buddha Fresh", an eco-friendly air freshener that is made out of 100% natural Bamboo charcoal! 

Photo Courtesy of Buddha Fresh

This natural alternative to chemical air fresheners not only takes care of odors you don't want, but it is biodegradable, non-toxic and lasts up to two years! Oh, and it's pretty affordable too! Sweeeeet!!

Read on to find out more....

"It all started when we were traveling through South East Asia. We instantly fell in love with the culture and how laid back all the people were. One of the most interesting things we discovered was how resourceful everyone was and that they had natural remedies and solutions for pretty much any everyday problem. One thing that we kept seeing being used everywhere, which they’re fortunate to have plenty of in South East Asia, was Bamboo. It is one of the most self sustaining and fastest growing plants on the planet and it is used for many things such as building materials, clothes, and even soap! 

That's how we discovered Bamboo Charcoal and how it was a natural way to absorb odors and prevent mold and mildew. It’s also chemical free and non-toxic. We knew right then that we had to try some and were absolutely amazed at how well it worked. Most air fresheners we all use today release dangerous chemicals that can cause serious health problems and only mask the odors instead of eliminating them. We couldn't wait to introduce it to our friends." ~The Buddha Fresh Family

So, what makes this product so awesome and why do I (and you) need it? Let's break it down:

• Eco-friendly  - Buddha Fresh bags are made up of all natural bamboo charcoal (the actual bag is made from Jute fibers) and are 100% recyclable.

• Eliminates Odors - Bamboo charcoal actually absorbs and eliminates unwanted odors rather than masking bad smells with sprays that emit harmful chemicals and toxins.

• Made for an Active Lifestyle - Buddha Fresh bags are great for yoga studios or your gym bag.

More uses are demonstrated here:

Photo courtesy of Buddha Fresh

There is also this lovely little infographic comparing Buddha Fresh to conventional air fresheners..

Photo courtesy of Buddha Fresh

You can find out more about this product by going here and following them on Facebook and
Instagram.


What are your thoughts on Buddha Fresh? What is your favorite non-toxic air purifier?


Peace & love,
Sabrina xo